FEAR NOT

FEAR NOT

Sunday, March 15, 2020



Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.



  How quickly panic peels away the veneer of complacency in society; March Madness sans basketball and toilet paper! Seats unoccupied and occupied involved.

  Crisis being part and sometimes parcel of life, God said and continues to say “fear not” in every situation.  EBB4

Gen_15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Gen_21:17  And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Gen_26:24  And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

Gen_35:17  And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

Gen_43:23  And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

Gen_46:3  And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Gen_50:19  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

Exo_20:20  And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Deu_1:21  Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Deu_20:3  And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;

Deu_31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deu_31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Jos_8:1  And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Jos_10:25  And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

Jdg_4:18  And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.

Jdg_6:10  And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

Jdg_6:23  And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

Rth_3:11  And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

1Sa_4:20  And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

1Sa_12:20  And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

1Sa_22:23  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

1Sa_23:17  And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

2Sa_9:7  And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

2Sa_13:28  Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

1Ki_17:13  And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

2Ki_6:16  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2Ki_17:34  Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

2Ki_25:24  And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

1Ch_28:20  And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2Ch_20:17  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Psa_55:19  God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

Psa_64:4  That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Isa_7:4  And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Isa_35:4  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Isa_41:13  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isa_41:14  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isa_43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isa_43:5  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isa_44:2  Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

Isa_54:4  Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Jer_40:9  And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Jer_46:27  But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

Lam_3:57  Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Dan_10:12  Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Dan_10:19  And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Joe_2:21  Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Zec_8:13  And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

Mal_3:5  And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mat_1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Mat_10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Mat_28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Luk_1:13  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Luk_1:30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luk_2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luk_5:10  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luk_8:50  But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luk_12:7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luk_12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luk_18:4  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Joh_12:15 

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

Act_27:24  Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Rev_1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

RECOGNIZING PAGANISM

RECOGNIZING PAGANISM

Friday, March 13, 2020



  Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me.

  John 1:1-10; 3:16-21 In the beginning [Gen.1:1] was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. There was a man sent from God; his name was John. This one came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. He was the true Light; He enlightens every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and the world did not know Him. … For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.



  As a commandment accompanying by warning, Exodus 20:3 is no less applicable in importance today than it was when first published some 3,500 years ago.

  Paganism is polytheistic worship; the doctrine and practice of multiple objects of worship. Though paganism may be deemed by some as “irreligious”, it is very much religion.

  Religion is often public media defined in denominational terms, and/or having to do with ceremonial observance. True, but it is limited definition, for religion is any set of beliefs resulting in attitude that produces our actions. In actuality, every man lives religiously, whether Christian or not, affiliated with church or denomination or of “recognized religion or faith” or not.

  What we believe is our god; evidenced by how we live.

  Christians are to be tolerant, patient. In the last decades political tolerance has been urged. Gradually it developed into TOLERANCE LARGE; a politically correct insistence that there is no exceptional truth; that no culture has anything more superior to offer than does any other culture.

  It wasn’t long before “tolerance” as catchword was replaced by “multiculturalism” and “pluralism”, becoming elevated to altar of worship both politically and in numerous religious circles, especially the groups believing in and practicing broad ecumenism and syncretism.

  Of late a number of political leaders have declared the ideas of multiculturalism and pluralism as failures. Britain’s prime minister, David Cameron, described the terrible duo as “passively tolerant society”, declaring it standing neutral between different values with no one being better than the others.

French president Nicholas Sarkozy announced that he considered the pair a failure. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated “ … has failed, totally.”

  Though the above 3 nations are considered secularized, it is USA, the “Christian nation”, that is by leadership and media still holding to and very much propagating the pagan religion of multiculturalism and pluralism.

  But politically doing so is not the worst of it. When, contrary to God’s Word, the Bible, declared followers of Lord Jesus Christ believe in the paganism, it is most awful.

  Our King is preeminently superior to all others. His standard, The Word, for life eternal and present sojourning is extraordinarily sufficient. (2Tim.3:1-17; 2Pet.1:3) All else is mere paganism. 

EBB4

RECOGNIZING ADDICTION

RECOGNIZING ADDICTION

Thursday, March 12, 2020



Exodus MKJV 20:1  And God spoke all these words, saying, I am Jehovah your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Revelation 2:1-7 … I know your works and your labor and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tried those pretending to be apostles, and are not, and have found them liars. And you have borne, and have patience, and for My name's sake you have labored and have not fainted. But I have against you that you left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent. …



  It is said that addiction has many forms. For the Christian this is not true. For the believer addiction may have various faces, booze or drugs, bird watching or porn, gorging or grasping, loving lucre and consumerism, gossiping or grandstanding, griping or good works, and many more; but for the believer, addiction is under one heading; idolatry.

  Picture your life as it is: filled with many people and things, Jesus being one in the mix.

  Picture your heart of hearts as being a throne: Who or what is on that throne? Is Jesus The One?

  If not, we should recognize our addiction; idolatry: affection for another god(s). Said affection effecting every aspect of my and your life.

  The Word, though “addiction” was then yet to be a fashionable euphemism, pointed out idolatry in numerous instances.

  To illustrate, and for brevity’s sake, I chose the god of money.

  Jesus knew and associated with several wealthy people. To identify a few: Nicodemus (Jn.19:39), Joseph of Arimathea (Mt.27:57), Zacchaeus (Lk.19:1-10).

  And there was another that remains nameless unto this day, referred to by Jesus only as “a certain ruler”, a rich man that considered himself as one playing by God’s rules. Please note that as in Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus did not criticize commendable good works. He did however, as in Rev.2:1-7, speak to idolatry; first love; that which, by our personal submission, occupies the throne of our heart.

  Hear a word of related testimony in response to yesterday’s DT: “Good Morning Ed. Oh, how I can relate to this message this morning! The old saying, "been there, done that" fits this piece to a "T". The definition of addict in Webster's dictionary----one who is psychologically or physiologically dependent (as on a drug). My personal definition of addition----anything (person, place or thing) that keeps me from fulfilling God's gift in me! It is from my own "thinking" that I have allowed Satan to dance!! It is from my "own" actions and choices … Choices that are from God … must come from our hearts (spirits), where the Holy Spirit does live! Today, I am heart strong, instead of head strong! Knowledge and wisdom go hand in hand. Immaturity, selfishness; idolatry, will only keep Satan happy. Sacrificing, endured pain and suffering, rocky roads and storms are a part of life. How, we as "Christians" apply ourselves to God and others will be the end result of our salvation. Satan is just as real as Jesus! I do not think many people realize this concept and this is huge! It stabs my unconditional heart even thinking about those I love and how continued pain seems to stick around--due to their own choices from their own thinking and ignoring their heart. I will continue planting seeds of Jesus and giving the love I am intended to give, with or without permission! Amen? Yes, Amen. I love you both. Valarie Hall (IA)  PS. I am humbled to be "Addicted" to my father in heaven!”

  I close today’s thoughts with Scripture from one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy: “… godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content. But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1Tim.6:1-12)

EBB4

CONCEPT OR PRECEPT?

RESPONDING WITH CONCEPT OR PRECEPT?

Wednesday, March 11, 2020



  Colossians [ESV] 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

  2Timothy 4:1-4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.



  As professing Christians we are responsible to answer questions at any time comfortable or not. Considering my earliest John 3:3 born-again days and observing believers since, this is sometimes done too often with ideas instead truth grounded in God’s Word. Of course, this takes 2Timothy 2:15 diligence to first gain the answers for one’s self. Ah, but when are we asked many of the questions? Before we know the answers, that’s when!

  Here are some questions and discussion points to prepare for our work of Biblical conversation:

·         Are all religions pretty much the same? How or how not?

·         The Bible is God’s Word?

·         Are all gods God with different names?

·         Is there life after death?

·         How good do you need to be to get to heaven?

·         How bad do you have to be to go to hell?

·         What is the purpose of life?

·         What stresses you out most?

·         Where is relief from stress found?

·         What about God do you think is most interesting?

·         What about God do you say is most frightening?

·         What about God is most comforting?

·         What are you willing to give up that hinders your relationship with God?

·         Whom influences you most, God or people?

·         If God is good and just, why do bad things happen?

·         What now is the attitude of family and friends toward you?

·         Does God really forgive?

·         How does God forgive?

·         Are Christians to be judgmental?

·         Are Christians to ever judge?

·         Do friends see you as hypocritical?

·         Do others see you as unloving, selfish?

·         What are some doubts you had or still do wrestle with?

·         Can you believe in both science and God’s Word?

·         When someone asks if you believe the Bible is God’s Word, how do you respond?

·         If God isn’t the Creator then where did everything come from?

·         If Jesus visited your church how would you or others there react?

·         If Jesus visited you congregation what do you think He would say about it?

·         If Jesus visited your school what do you think He would say about it?

·         Is going to and participating in church important? Why?

·         When have you felt that God has failed you?

·         When have you felt you failed Him?

·         Does God primarily provide guidance or should we depend on Him to always in all ways be the Fixer?

·         What matters do you think are most important to pray for?

·         Which do you must depend on, God’s Word or experiences?

·         How do you react to gossip or criticism?

·         When and about what do you see as acceptable to confront a person or people?

·         What do you do after you’re told or discover a secret?

·         What does God want most from you?

·         What do you do when you’re caught lying, emulate Adam and Eve?

·         What words do you think God would use to describe you presently?

·         Your friend is being harassed or bullied , how do you react?

·         A stranger is being harassed or bullied, what do you do?

·         Family or friend ask you to cover (lie) for them, what do you do?

·         Describe a terrible time when you enjoyed God’s comfort.

·         What about you reflects Jesus to your family, friends, and acquaintances?

·         What do imagine heaven is like? Your info source?

·         If you could ask God any question and get a quick answer, what would it be?

·         Are answers/solutions to life problems provided in God’s Word?

·         Does God really provide answers?

·         Tell about a time(s) you forgave someone, and why.

·         If you could have one superpower for a day, how would you use it?

·         What is your favorite movie or story and why so?

·         What is something families and friends should do more of?

·         If you could, what would you change about the world?

·         Say one kind thing about persons you know.

·         What is your favorite thing to do with family and/or friends?

·         If you could know about the future, what would you choose to know?

·         Which Bible character would you treat to lunch?

·         What is the most beautiful thing told in Scripture?

·         What Bible character, other than Jesus, would you most like to be like?

·         If you had one last day what would you do?

·         When someone asked, how do you describe yourself?

·         What things are most important to you?

·         What do you most often think about?

·         How do you describe Jesus?

·         When asked, can you promptly give your Christian testimony?

EBB4

RECOGNIZING THE TRUE JEREMIAHS

RECOGNIZING THE TRUE JEREMIAHS

Tuesday, March 10, 20



  If there is any one verse in the Old Testament  I’ve seen often quoted it is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Understandable since it is a great comforting promise of God.  However, before God gave the above comforting words to Jeremiah, He gave a warning which I think we need to hear and learn.



Jeremiah 29:8-9 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.”



  What did these false prophets proclaim? Peace & deliverance (Chapters 14: 13-14, 28: 1-5).

  What did Jeremiah prophesy to the people of Israel? God’s judgment of their disobedience, of them forsaking God & worshiping other gods. Jeremiah prophesied destruction of Jerusalem, famine, war, pestilence, and God sending them to exile in Babylon. Jeremiah, likewise, called the people to repentance. The false prophets talked none of that.

   What can we learn from this? That we must be discerning. False prophets are in our midst. We must be discerning. Be careful listening to preachers preaching prosperity; how to be happy, how to live your best life now, those whose prayers focus so much of receiving material blessings. But rather listen to those preachers who call us to repentance, who would rebuke us of our sins, who preach the true gospel, of God’s love & judgment

Lordina Welch